The Nanataki trail up Mt. Iwate starts in the Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest. This is my favorite trail up Mt. Iwate for obvious reasons: it's long (about 21km round trip), but there are so many different transitions in the scenery that it's like enjoying many mountains all in one.
I would actually recommend trying just the first leg of this hike without going all the way to the summit of Mt. Iwate if you’re not confident. The bottom photo below is a placed called Ojigokudani, or the Great Hell Valley – that you find after walking for about 90 minutes on the Nanataki Trail.
I would propose that hikers that don't want to spend a solid seven to nine hours on the trail go to the top of the Great Hell Valley and enjoy the views from there and then go back down. On the way you'll pass numerous waterfalls, sulfur vents, and during this season, beautiful fall colors in the forest!
Nanataki Falls is Unbelievably Beautiful in Autumn
Hachimantai is home to a number of stunning waterfalls. No less than one might expect from an area full of unspoiled mountains and rivers. Some of these waterfalls are located in really easy to access locations, near roads, or perhaps via a short walk through a shrine (in the case of Fudo Falls). And others require an hour hike through the forest to reach. Nanataki Falls is one of the later, and oh so worth it.
Just a short distance from the Mori no Ohashi Bridge, there’s a little parking lot in the back area of the Iwate Prefectural Citizens' Forest where you can start your hike. The trail itself goes all the way to the summit of Mt. Iwate, but that is quite a long hike. If you’d just like to see the breathtaking view of Nanataki Falls, you can go in casual clothes and expect to be there and back in about two hours at most.
The best times to visit this waterfall occur twice a year.
One is in autumn, when the surrounding foliage transforms into a vibrant array of colors.
The other is from late January to mid-February, when the waterfall freezes and takes on the appearance of a grand ice sculpture. Both seasons are truly worth experiencing in person!
Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest
Located at the northern edge of Mt. Iwate, this is a vast forest park covering an area of 360 hectares, which is about 80 times the size of Tokyo Dome. The park is home to about 200 species of wild birds and mammals such as black bears and Japanese serows.
At the foot of the mountain, a forest of Mongolian oak and beech trees spreads out, and a variety of trees have been planted in this well-maintained park. The tree-lined paths with birch and hydrangea scattered about make for a great atmosphere for a stroll.
There are three walking courses available: 1.4 km, 1.6 km, and 2.8 km. You can choose the one that best suits your available time and fitness level.
There are also activities held year-round to experience the flora and fauna of each season, from guided walks to Nanataki Falls, to the “Mushroom Classroom.”
*Private guides are also available.
Spring: The rows of star magnolia trees planted in the Minna-no Hiroba bloom in unison, and spring ephemerals such as kikuzaki ichige and dogtooth violets are also stunning. The cherry blossoms will be in full bloom around the first week of May, with as many as 500 cherry trees planted here. The "Husband and Wife Cherry Trees" have become a famous cherry blossom viewing spot with the magnificent snow-covered Mt. Iwate in the background.
Summer: The park is famous as a star-gazing spot where the Milky Way can be seen with breathtaking clarity. Around June, the park is filled with a chorus of cicadas. Later, a different variety of cicadas fills the soundscape of the park, the flowers bloom one after another, and you can walk among the large colonies of snake berry and fairy bells. You can also see fireflies around early July.
Autumn: This is one of the best spots in Iwate for viewing the autumn leaves, including the Mori-no-Ohashi Bridge and Matsukawa Valley. The autumn foliage seen from the Mori-no-Ohashi Bridge is breathtakingly beautiful as both banks of the Matsukawa River become a valley of blazing autumn leaves. The peak season for autumn foliage is from mid to late October. It sometimes snows during this period, so if you are lucky, you can enjoy both the snow and the autumn leaves.
Winter: The landscape is covered with snow. This is not just any snow- it’s perfect powder! Visitors can enjoy following animal tracks and observing winter buds on snowshoes, or play in the snow on skis or sleds. During the coldest part of the winter, the 30-meter-high Nanataki Falls freezes over and becomes an impressive ice falls, attracting many visitors.
Forest-i
The Forestry Museum, Forest-i, showcases exhibits of Iwate's nature and forests, allowing visitors of all ages to enjoy learning about the forest. There is also wooden play equipment, including a large wooden slide, that children particularly love.
Additionally, the "Craft Corner" hosts workshops using natural materials like nuts and seeds, allowing everyone to enjoy creating their own crafts.
All information listed was confirmed at the time of publication. No responsibility is taken for changes made by third parties after this time.
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